Complete Guide to Dissertation Acknowledgements (With Examples & Tips)
Table of contents
- 1 What Are Dissertation Acknowledgements?
- 2 How to Write Acknowledgements for Research Paper
- 3 Dissertation Acknowledgements Examples
- 4 Who to Thank in Your Research Work?
- 5 Sentence Starters for Acknowledgements
- 6 Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Acknowledgement Sample for Thesis
- 7 Ultimate Dissertation Acknowledgements Kit: [Bonus]
- 8 Conclusions
If you create a dissertation, you won’t deny that it’s a long and challenging process. But no one does it completely alone. You likely received others’ academic, emotional, or even financial support along the way. That’s where dissertation acknowledgements come in.
This article will cover everything you need to know about writing acknowledgements. It includes useful examples, tips, and a full guide to help you get started.
What Are Dissertation Acknowledgements?
Completing a dissertation is more than just research and data. It’s also about the people who helped you along the way. Whether it was your dissertation supervisor, family and friends, research assistants, or even your pet who sat with you late at night, acknowledging them shows gratitude and humanity behind the work.
The acknowledgements section is usually placed after the title page and before the abstract. Some universities may have different rules, so always check your university’s guidelines.
You might be interested in the writing style you should use. Good news – you can write in the first person (e.g., “I would like to express my gratitude…”). It’s the one part of your academic work where you can use a personal tone. Keep it sincere, warm, and professional, but not too casual.
How to Write Acknowledgements for Research Paper
When you complete this section, keep in mind that this is a chance to express gratitude to everyone who supported you during your research journey. Follow these simple steps to keep your message clear, warm, and aligned with your university’s guidelines.
Step 1: Make a list of people to thank
Consider everyone who supported your research journey when writing your dissertation acknowledgments.
Step 2: Choose the right order
Start with academic support, then move to personal thanks. This keeps it clear and respectful.
Step 3: Group your thanks
- Major thanks — for direct academic help (like your supervisor).
- Big thanks — for strong support (like colleagues or institutions).
- Personal thanks — to those who gave moral support or encouragement.
Step 4: Pick the right tone
Be warm and genuine, but not too casual. Let your personality shine while keeping it professional, just like when learning how to restate your thesis clearly and polishedly.
Step 5: Follow university rules
Check your university’s guidelines for word count, formatting, and who you can include. Make sure your acknowledgements fit their requirements.
Dissertation Acknowledgements Examples
Looking for ideas on how to write your dissertation acknowledgements? Below are real examples of different types of academic work. Use them to guide your own writing and to help you express gratitude clearly and sincerely.
✅ Acknowledgement Sample for Thesis
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Taylor, for her continuous support and thoughtful comments throughout my academic journey. I am also grateful to my fellow students for their encouragement and help during the research process. Special thanks to my family for their unwavering support during the most challenging times.
🎓 PhD Thesis Acknowledgement Example
This PhD dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and expertise of Professor Alan Smith, who inspired my research from the very beginning. I also thank the funding bodies that provided financial support. I’m especially grateful to my partner, who offered emotional support and understanding during late nights and long weekends.
📚 Master’s Dissertation Acknowledgement
I sincerely thank my dissertation supervisor, Dr. Johnson, for their patience, feedback, and encouragement. My gratitude also goes to the university library staff and research assistants who helped me during the data collection phase. Lastly, my heartfelt thanks to my parents, whose love and support kept me going.
📄 Acknowledgements in Research Paper
We express our gratitude to the participants and institutions involved in this research project. We also thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback. This work was supported by the National Research Council.
💬 Short & Funny Thesis Acknowledgement
I thank coffee for keeping me alive, my cat for walking across my keyboard, and my roommate for pretending to listen to my rants about statistics. Also, thanks to my advisor, who somehow stayed sane through all my drafts.
🙏 Religious or Spiritual Mention Sample
First, I give thanks to God for giving me the strength and clarity to complete this work. I am also deeply grateful to my church community for their prayers and support during this journey.
Who to Thank in Your Research Work?
Sentence Starters for Acknowledgements
Stuck on how to write a dissertation and begin the gratitude section? Try these:
- I am deeply grateful to…
- My sincere thanks to…
- Special thanks are due to…
- I am especially thankful to…
- I sincerely thank…
- My deepest appreciation goes to…
- I would like to thank…
- I would like to express my gratitude to…
- I could not have completed this work without…
- This dissertation would not have been possible without…
- I also acknowledge the support received from…
Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Acknowledgement Sample for Thesis
✅ Do:
- Be specific about people’s roles;
- Keep it concise (1–2 pages max);
- Show genuine gratitude;
- Follow your university’s guidelines;
- Proofread for spelling and grammar.
❌ Don’t:
- Use overly casual language;
- Forget key contributors;
- Overdo the personal stories;
- Include jokes in formal academic papers (unless it’s allowed);
- Copy someone else’s acknowledgements.
Ultimate Dissertation Acknowledgements Kit: [Bonus]
Want to know how to write acknowledgement? Click once to use the acknowledgements template! Here’s everything you need in one place:
- ✅ General guidelines;
- ✅ 4 templates in different styles;
- ✅ Sentence starters library;
- ✅ List of acknowledgement phrases;
- ✅ Tips: Check if your acknowledgements match your field’s style (Humanities / Engineering).
Conclusions
Writing your thesis acknowledgements can feel like a small part of a big project. But it’s often the most personal and meaningful. That first moment when you say “thank you” in your own words is something special. It shows the heart behind your academic work, the people who helped, and your journey.
To make it effective, just follow these three key tips:
- Keep it simple. Be honest. You don’t need fancy language or over-the-top phrases. Just speak from the heart. Show your sincere gratitude for the support from your dissertation supervisor, research assistants, fellow students, and those who supported you emotionally through the hard days.
- Structure is your friend. Start with academic help, then move into personal thanks. Think about who helped with data collection, who gave constructive feedback, and who supported you in your personal life. That way, your acknowledgements will feel clear, respectful, and complete.
- Remember, this is more than just a thank-you note. Your acknowledgements section will be read by future students, committees, and maybe even people in your field who are watching for the next big step in robotics news or new publications. So make it count.
This is your moment to express your gratitude and let your personality shine. So, how to write acknowledgement for thesis and make it compelling? Keep it warm, real, and true to your research journey.
